C220 CDI AMG Sports 2009 model

[DonDon]

I have just part exchanged my fourth Mercedes, its still less than one year old, the last one was a C180 petrol Saloon, previously a C180 Petrol Coupe, first one a 190E in Spain.
This C220 appears to suffer as it fails to accelerate rapidly, from a standing start, you push the accelerator pedal and nothing seems to happen for about 2 seconds, vehicles pull away from you on either side.
Had it checked out by Mercedes in Caterham, they told me "The engine is not powerful enough, until it reaches around 2,000 revs, then the compressor activates and the power comes on".
Is this true?, do Mercedes really manufacture a car with no low range acceleration?, or do I have a DUD car?.
Would welcome all constructive comments, have I made a big mistake in buying this car, my previous C180 Petrol accelerated great from a standing start, what is wrong with this model?.
When travelling above 20MP the car accelerates like a rocket, is it a design engine fault, or is the fuel injector or the compressor not working properly?, do other people suffer this same problem, please let me know.

[GordonTarling]

Most CDI engines seem to suffer similar symptoms, it's mainly due to turbo lag. You'll find the turbo doesn't really start working until the engine's doing over 2000 rpm. There is a device called a 'Sprintbooster' (search this forum) which is said to help, but I've not bothered and just learnt to get used to the different response of a diesel. What I have found is that just flooring the throttle from a standing start doesn't get you the best acceleration and that it's better to gradually feed in throttle, at least until the turbo is up to speed.

[Rory]

I'm guessing it's a manual?

In the auto the engine spins up anyway but in a manual the engine revs are held low (once you've let the clutch in) by the solid link from engine to road.

[tiger]

I have the same, and have found by switching to "S" mode it seems to be alot better, for town driving anyway.

[kwakdonut]

Buy an auto instead................
























and a bigger engine!!







lol

[kwakdonut]

Originally Posted by DonDon

I have just part exchanged my fourth Mercedes, its still less than one year old, the last one was a C180 petrol Saloon, previously a C180 Petrol Coupe, first one a 190E in Spain.
This C220 appears to suffer as it fails to accelerate rapidly, from a standing start, you push the accelerator pedal and nothing seems to happen for about 2 seconds, vehicles pull away from you on either side.
Had it checked out by Mercedes in Caterham, they told me "The engine is not powerful enough, until it reaches around 2,000 revs, then the compressor activates and the power comes on".
Is this true?, do Mercedes really manufacture a car with no low range acceleration?, or do I have a DUD car?.
Would welcome all constructive comments, have I made a big mistake in buying this car, my previous C180 Petrol accelerated great from a standing start, what is wrong with this model?.
When travelling above 20MP the car accelerates like a rocket, is it a design engine fault, or is the fuel injector or the compressor not working properly?, do other people suffer this same problem, please let me know.

Being serious, I would not be happy with this regardless it being a manual or auto. Lag like that is dangerous. I have driven various diesels, a 1.9 VW Bora, 2l A Class, 2.7l C Class and my current car, a 3.2l and non have ever suffered to the degree you describe.

"The engine is not poiwerful enough" - you're having a laugh!! The 220 is what, 150/170bhp?? I'm sorry but thats plenty. My Bora was a 115 and went like sh*t off a shovel! Even the A Class was 105 and was still quick enough.

I would say that there is a problem - take it back and get them to lend you another 220 to compare while they check yours out.

Oh and btw, the diesel's don't have 'compressors' - that's generally a supercharger (petrols have those) - the diesel's have turbo's. Just to avoid any confusion although someone will argue that a turbo is also a 'compressor' (yes it is, I am an Aircraft Engineer so I know that but not everyone does!!)

I hope you get this sorted

[DonDon]

Originally Posted by GordonTarling

Most CDI engines seem to suffer similar symptoms, it's mainly due to turbo lag. You'll find the turbo doesn't really start working until the engine's doing over 2000 rpm. There is a device called a 'Sprintbooster' (search this forum) which is said to help, but I've not bothered and just learnt to get used to the different response of a diesel. What I have found is that just flooring the throttle from a standing start doesn't get you the best acceleration and that it's better to gradually feed in throttle, at least until the turbo is up to speed.

Thanks Gordon, Its the first DIESEL car I have ever bought (and probably the last). It is an Automatic and it is in S Drive, but it is still rubbish at accelerating, very disappointed in Mercedes, will buy a Sprintbooster if its the oonly thing to do, would have thought if we could get enough support, then we could take it up directly with MERCEDES in Germany.

[chiefski26]

two problems small engine and diesel.good luck.

[DonDon]

It is an Automatic in S Drive

[mykulmerc]

My 1999 220 CDi is in for service today, so I've got the C180K loan car, which is a complete slug when compared to my diesel. Although the same age, it has got the older 4 speed auto box.

Diesels are sluggish when cold, but I like the torque when its warmed up. Of course an AMG 55 of some sort wouldn't have this problem!!

[HR17]

My E220 feels like that sometimes, but then I appreciate that its a relatively small diesel with an auto in a heavy car. Its not really a problem for me. I'm used to autos, and adjusted the way I drive to take account of it being diesel. Surely an intial test drive wuld have demonstated how differed a diesel feels to a petrol. I have no probs pulling away from lights or junctions, although if you're used to petrol, and maybe a manual, it feels like theres something wrong, especially as diesels dont rev like petrols, you also have to appreciate that a turbocharged car will feel and react differently to a non turbo. I use torque to get me going, and its not just a matter of flooring the throttle. Its just a bit of practice in a new car.

[kwakdonut]

Originally Posted by chiefski26

two problems small engine and diesel.good luck.

Sorry, I don't agree with that. If it was an E Class, then yes. But the C is not as heavy and the 2.1 litre 4 pot with over 150 bhp is plenty and should not give you much in the way of lag.

Diesel's are designed to give their power low down so you should get good power from almost idle on whereas you generally need to push a petrol before you get all the power out of it. Hence why a diesel red line is generally c.4500rpm (typical) and petrols can be 6000 and higher.

DonDon - what's the mileage? It appears that the diesel's don't start to loosen up before 10k and can feel tight and gutless when new

[A210AMG]

What was the 'test car' like you drove

I agree the engine should be powerful enough and you shouldn't have to live with it or indeed buy a sprintbooster or anything else.

Could it be this car has a fault?

[DonDon]

I only bought this C220 CDI AMG Sports 3 weeks ago, £25K, so I believe that under the UK Sale of Goods Act, they have sold me a car which does not meet its specification or my expectations. so I am prepared to take this matter up with MB Germany, if there are enough of you MB Owners, that have experienced this problem then lets take on Goliath!.
Why should we have to buy a sprintbooster, to solve a design fault?,
anybody agree or dis-agree?.

[DonDon]

Originally Posted by kwakdonut

Sorry, I don't agree with that. If it was an E Class, then yes. But the C is not as heavy and the 2.1 litre 4 pot with over 150 bhp is plenty and should not give you much in the way of lag.

Diesel's are designed to give their power low down so you should get good power from almost idle on whereas you generally need to push a petrol before you get all the power out of it. Hence why a diesel red line is generally c.4500rpm (typical) and petrols can be 6000 and higher.

DonDon - what's the mileage? It appears that the diesel's don't start to loosen up before 10k and can feel tight and gutless when new

It was first registered in April 2009 and has done 12,000 miles